The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) is inviting Tennesseans to submit nominations for the 2018 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Awards.

“The high quality of life Tennessee offers is due in part to the health and vibrancy of our natural environment,” said Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. “Tennesseans deserve to be acknowledged for their passion and commitment to caring for our state’s most precious resources.”

Any individual, business, organization, educational institution, or agency is eligible, provided it is located in Tennessee and the project was completed during the 2017 calendar year. All nominees must have a minimum of three consecutive years of overall environmental compliance with TDEC. Self-nominations are encouraged.

“TDEC relies on many community and statewide partners to help protect our state’s natural resources and their work has not gone unnoticed,” said TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau. “These awards are an important reminder that all sectors of our economy and society have a role to play in environmental protection.”

A panel of judges representing agricultural, conservation, forestry, environmental and academic professionals will select award recipients based on criteria including level of project or program completion, innovation and public education. The deadline for nominations is March 30, 2018. Award recipients will be announced in May 2018.